Dancing At Midnight

Chapter 15

'Where on earth did you come up with a ww crazy idea like this, anyway?'

'No matter.' Belle glanced over at her reluctant partner in crime. Dunford was not at all pleased to be standing next to her in front of John's brother's house at three in the morning, and he certainly had no qualms about showing his ire.

He scowled as he gave her a leg up into the tree. 'I'm not leaving until I see you depart from this house. Preferably through the front door.'

Belle didn't look down at him as she grabbed the first branch. 'I wish you would. There's no telling how long I might be inside.'

'That's what I'm worried about.'

'Dunford, even if he detested me, John would insist upon seeing me home. That's just the sort of man he is. You needn't worry about my welfare when I'm with him.'

'Perhaps, but what about your reputation?'

'Well, that's my problem, isn't it?' Belle hoisted herself up onto the next branch. 'This is much easier than it looks. Have you ever climbed a tree, Dunford?'

'Of course I have,' he replied in an irritated voice. She was now even with the second-story windows. Not for the first time, he cursed himself for letting her talk him into this insane scheme. But then again, if he didn't help her, she'd probably have come alone, which was even more insane. He'd never seen Belle like this before. For her sake, he hoped this Blackwood fellow felt the same way about her.

'I'm almost there, Dunford,' she called out softly, testing the sturdiness of the branch which would have to bear her weight as she moved horizontally toward the window. 'Will you promise me that you'll leave once I'm inside?'

'I'll promise no such thing.'

'Please,' she pleaded. 'You'll freeze out here.'

'I'll leave only if Blackwood comes to the window and gives me his word as a gentleman that he'll see you safely home.' Dunford sighed to himself. He'd not be able to protect Belle's virtue-if there was anything left to protect, which he sincerely hoped there was-but at least he could make sure she got home safely.

'All right,' she agreed, and started inching her way along the thick branch toward the window. After about three seconds on her hands and knees, a better idea offered itself to her, and she straddled the branch, thankful for the breeches she had swiped out of her brother's closet. Using her arms for support, she slowly pushed her way along. When she reached the window, the branch sagged perilously, and Belle quickly climbed onto the wide ledge. Below her she could hear Dunford's footsteps as he scurried toward the building, obviously certain that he was going to have to catch her as she plunged toward the ground.

'I'm fine,' she called out softly. She started to push the window up.

John was awakened by the sound of the window scraping against its frame. Years of soldiering had left him a very light sleeper, and the recent attack against his life had honed his senses even further. With one fluid motion he grabbed his pistol from his nightstand, rolled onto the floor, and crouched next to the bed, his leg screaming against the sudden movement. When he realized that the intruder was having a bit of trouble getting the window open, he took advantage of the delay and grabbed his dressing gown. His back to the wall, he made his way around the perimeter of the room until he was standing right next to the window. He would not be surprised this time.

With considerable exertion Belle managed to hoist the window up. Once there was enough space for her to squeeze through, she waved down at Dunford and wormed her way in.

The minute her feet touched the floor, a steely arm grabbed her from behind, and she felt the cold butt of a pistol pressed up against her neck. Fear froze her body and her mind, and she went stiff as a board.

'All right,' she heard a furious voice behind her hiss. 'Start talking. I want to know who you are and what you want with me.'

'John?' Belle croaked.

She was instantly spun around. 'Belle?'

She nodded.

'What the hell are you doing here?'

She swallowed nervously. 'Could you put the gun down?'

John realized that he was still holding his weapon and dropped it on a nearby table. 'For the love of God, Belle, I could've killed you.'

She managed a tremulous smile. 'I'm glad you didn't.'

He raked a hand through his thick hair and then finally took a good look at her. She was dressed in black from head to toe. Her bright hair, which would have undoubtedly glowed in the moonlight, was stuffed under a cap, and the rest of her appeared to be stuffed into a pair of men's breeches. Or rather, a pair of boy's breeches. Her shapely form was shown off quite nicely by her unconventional attire, and he doubted that there were men's breeches small enough to compliment her backside so delightfully.

'What are you wearing?' He sighed.

'Do you like it?' Belle smiled at him, determined to brazen this out. She pulled the cap from her head, allowing the mass of her hair to tumble down her back. 'I got the idea from Emma. From something she did once. She, umm, dressed as a boy, and-'

'Spare me the story. I'm sure Ashbourne was as furious as I am now.'

'I think he was. I wasn't there. But the next day-'

'Enough!' He held up a hand. 'How in hell did you get up here?'

'I climbed the tree.'

'Where'd you get a damn fool idea like that?'

'Do you have to ask?'

John shot her a look which told her that he was not amused at having his own behavior thrown back at him. 'You could have broken your neck, woman.'

'You didn't leave me much choice.' She reached forward to place her hand on his arm.

John jerked back. 'Don't touch me. I can't think when you touch me.'

That was encouraging, Belle thought, and reached forward again.

'I said stop it! Can't you see I'm furious with you?'

'For what? For taking a risk in coming up here to see you? This wouldn't have been necessary if you hadn't been such an addlebrained idiot and refused to see me.'

'I had a very good reason for refusing to see you,' John snapped.

'Oh, really? And what was that?'

'None of your damned business.'

'I can see you're just as childish as ever,' Belle sneered. 'Ouch!' She jumped back as a rock hit her in her arm.

'What was that?' John hissed, grabbing his gun again and pulling her back from the window.

'When did you grow so paranoid? It's only Dunford, growing irritated at me, no doubt, for waiting so long to tell him that I made it in safely.' Belle wriggled from his grasp and moved to the open window. Dunford was looking up at her. She couldn't see his face clearly, but she knew that concern was etched into his expression.

'I'm fine, Dunford,' she called down.

'Is he going to see you home?'

'Yes, fine. Don't worry.'

'I want to hear it from him.'

'Stubborn man,' Belle muttered. 'Umm, John? Dunford won't leave until you give him your word that you'll see me home safely.'

John scowled and crossed over to the window. 'What the hell were you thinking?'

'I'd have liked to have seen you stop her,' Dunford growled back. 'Are you going to escort her home or do I have to remain here and-'